Peach tree named &#39;NJ359&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct peach variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘NJ359’ is provided. This variety is distinguished from other peach varieties by its unique combination of non-showy flowers, large, nearly round, freestone fruit that have very good eating quality due to their aromatic, sweet, and moderately acidic flavor, and are generally well colored for a peach that ripens in late season.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

NONE

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NONE

Latin name of genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persica L.

Variety denomination: NJ359

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree named ‘NJ359’. Our new tree resulted from crossing ‘Flameprince’ (non-patented) as the seed parent with our proprietary peach seedling selection ‘NJ260’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,572) as the pollen parent. The new variety differs from seed parent ‘Flameprince’ in that the new variety produces slightly larger fruit and that has better flavor and aromatics. The new variety differs from pollen parent ‘NJ260’ in that the new variety produces more attractive fruit that have superior eating quality. The resulting tree was selected when growing in a cultivated area as the 76^(th) tree in the 65^(th) row of Block K at a fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘NJ359’ variety is distinguished from other peach varieties due to the following unique combination of characteristics:

-   -   Trees produce large, yellow-orange fleshed fruit, with an         attractive red blush and red-purple mottle over a bright         yellow-orange ground color.     -   Excellent production of firm fruit that ripen in late season.     -   Fruit have very good eating quality due to their aromatic,         sweet, and moderately acidic flavor.

The variety was asexually reproduced at a fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding onto ‘Bailey’ peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) shows that the foregoing characteristics are so reproduced.

The following detailed description concerns the original tree, ‘NJ359’. The original tree and asexual progeny have been observed growing in a cultivated area at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions (such as, light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability) or other factors. Color descriptions and other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart (1966)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawings, depicting the peach tree by the best possible color representation using color photography. Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practices, such as light level, fertilization rate, and other conditions and, therefore, the color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph taken on Aug. 22, 2014 of a characteristic twig of ‘NJ359’ in late spring bearing typical leaves of the foliage.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph taken on Sep. 2, 2014 of characteristic mature fruit and stones of ‘NJ359’. Whole fruit are presented in three positions and both a transverse and longitudinal cross section to illustrate that the pericarp does not adhere to the pit when the fruit is mature. The stones exemplify the obovate shape and pits and grooves on the surface of the stone.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph of a characteristic twig that illustrates the typical flower buds and small, non-showy flowers of ‘NJ359’ observed on a tree at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Apr. 21, 2015.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph of a dormant tree of ‘NJ359’, prior to pruning, in late winter that illustrates the spreading growth habit of a tree at said fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Feb. 8, 2016.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph taken on Mar. 17, 2015 of immature bark of ‘NJ359’ that illustrates color and the high density of conspicuous elliptic lenticels on the immature bark.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph taken on Mar. 11, 2015 of mature bark of ‘NJ359’ that illustrates the grey color, moderately rough texture and prominent, large lenticels of the mature bark.

The colors of and illustration of this type may vary with lighting and other conditions under which conditions and, therefore, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the ‘NJ359’ variety is based on observations of an asexually reproduced tree. The observed tree was five years of age and growing on ‘Bailey’ seedling rootstock (non-patented) at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J.

-   Scientific name: Prunus persica L. -   Parentage:     -   -   Seed parent.—‘Flameprince’.         -   Pollen parent.—‘NJ260’ (Expired U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,572). -   Tree:     -   -   Vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Plant hardiness zone.—Growth of plants has only been             observed in zone 6b.         -   Dormant flower bud cold tolerance.—At least to −21°C.         -   Overall shape.—Spreading.         -   Height.—Average as compared to other peach cultivars. For             example, measurement of a typical grafted tree on ‘Bailey’             peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) at five years after             planting shows an average height of 2.7 meters when grown in             Cream Ridge, N.J.         -   Width.—Average as compared to other peach cultivars. For             example, measurement of a typical grafted tree on ‘Bailey’             peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) at five years after             planting shows an average width of 4.0 meters when grown in             Cream Ridge, N.J.         -   Caliper.—Five year old tree is 37 cm. in circumference             measured at 20 cm. from the ground. -   Trunk and branches:     -   -   Trunk bark texture.—Moderately rough with prominent, large             lenticels.         -   Trunk bark color.—Grey (between RHS 201C and RHS 201D).         -   Primary branches.—Branches that are approximately 15 cm. in             circumference are greyed-orange (RHS 176B) overlaid with             grey (RHS 201D). Lenticels: High density, approximately 1.6             per square cm; elliptical in shape and conspicuous; typical             examples of which averaged 4.4 mm. in length and 2.1 mm. in             width; perimeter color is greyed-green (between RHS 198C and             RHS 198D) becoming greyed-orange (between RHS 164C and RHS             164D) towards the center. Branch pubescence: None. New             growth bark: Greyed-purple (RHS 183B) in sun; greyed-purple             (RHS 182B) over a yellow-green (RHS 152D) ground color in             shade.         -   Internodes.—Length averaging 19.2 mm. on a one-year shoot. -   Leaves:     -   -   Texture.—Glabrous, both surfaces.         -   Sheen.—Young leaves semi-glossy with a flat finish on the             underside.         -   Length.—About 158 mm. to 199 mm, averaging about 175 mm.             including the petiole.         -   Width.—About 32 mm. to 43 mm., averaging about 37 mm.         -   Petiole.—Averaging 11.2 mm. long and about 2.0 mm. in             diameter.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Margin undulation.—Margins generally entire; occasionally             may have broad undulations.         -   Form.—Lanceolate, and concave in cross section.         -   Apex.—Sharply acuminate, typically sharply curved downward.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Venation.—Pinnate.         -   Glands.—Number: About 3 to 5, averaging about 4. Position:             Located on the petiole and leaf margin near the base. Size:             Length averaging 1.7 mm, and width averaging 0.9 mm. Form:             Reniform.         -   Stipules.—None observed on mature leaves.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface: Yellow-green (RHS 146A).             Lower leaf surface: Yellow-green (RHS 148B). Vein:             Yellow-green (RHS 151D).         -   Pubescence.—None. -   Flowers:     -   -   Size.—Non-showy, small size, typical flower measuring             between 20 mm. to 26 mm., averaging about 22 mm. across.         -   Color.—Dormant bud: Grey (RHS 201D). Pink stage bud:             Red-purple (between RHS 62A and RHS 62B). Open flower:             Freshly opened flowers are red (RHS 56C) becoming red (RHS             55C) at the petal's margins.         -   Petals.—Typically five petals per flower; slightly cupped,             medium elliptic, margin entire, averaging about 11.9 mm.             long and 10.0 mm. wide.         -   Petal apex.—Obtuse.         -   Petal base.—Cuneate at point of attachment.         -   Stamens.—Number: Variable, typical range 38 and 50,             averaging 42.3. Length: Variable, between 9.0 mm. to 12.9             mm, averaging 11.1 mm. Filament color: White (RHS 155A).             Anther color: Red (RHS 44c).         -   Pistil.—Number: One. Size: Length between 17 and 19 mm.,             averaging 18 mm. Pistil color: Yellow-green (RHS 145B).             Ovary: Moderate, medium length pubescence and ellipsoid in             shape, color yellow-green (RHS 145 A).         -   Sepals.—Number: Five. Pubescence: Length short, low density.             Color: Greyed-purple (RHS 183D). Shape: Triangular, with a             rounded apex. Size: Length averaging 6.1 mm., width             averaging 4.5 mm.         -   Nectar cup color.—Greyed-orange (RHS 168B).         -   Pollen.—Abundant; yellow (RHS 11A) in color.         -   Fragrance.—Very slight.         -   Bloom season.—Onset of bloom in 2014 on April 17; full bloom             on April 23. -   Fruit:     -   -   Size.—Large, averaging about 7.7 cm. long, 8.1 cm. wide             parallel to the suture and 8.3 cm. wide perpendicular to the             suture.         -   Typical weight.—274 g.         -   Form.—Longitudinal section: Nearly round, some fruit may             have unequal halves. Traverse section: Nearly round, some             fruit may be slightly triangular.         -   Suture.—Shallow, extending from base to apex.         -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth at its base, becoming lipped             towards the apex.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Apex.—Flat; apex tip is a small point.         -   Stem.—Average length of 7 mm. and an average diameter of 4.0             mm.         -   Skin.—Thickness: Medium. Surface: Pubescent, generally light             and short. Tenacity: Medium. Astringency: None. Tendency to             crack: Low. Color: Blush is red (RHS 46B); mottle and             stripes are red-purple (between RHS 59A and RHS 59B); ground             color is yellow-orange (RHS 16C).         -   Fruit properties.—Flesh color: Yellow-orange (RHS 14C); red             (RHS 46C) adjacent to stone. Flesh adhesion: Freestone.             Juice: Moderate. Texture: Firm, but melting. Fibers: Not             noticeable. Ripens: Between August 28 and September 8 at             Cream Ridge, N.J. Flavor: Sweet, moderate acidity. Soluble             solids: 13.5%. Aroma: Moderate. Eating quality: Good to very             good.         -   Keeping quality.—Medium. Has held its flavor and firmness             for at least 14 days in cold storage at 1° C. to 2° C.         -   Shipping quality.—Good. No bruising or scaring disorders             have been observed.         -   Usage.—Dessert.         -   Market.—Local and long distance.         -   Productivity.—Very good. Trees have produced a full crop in             7 out of 10 and at least a partial crop 9 out of 10 years in             Cream Ridge, N.J. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Freestone.         -   Form.—Obovate.         -   Base.—Narrow.         -   Apex.—Wide.         -   Surface.—Pits and grooves.         -   Ventral suture.—Large.         -   Dorsal ridge.—Medium height, narrow width, forming medium             depth lines.         -   External color.—Greyed-orange (RHS 166D) overlaid with             greyed purple (RHS 183).         -   Cavity surface color.—Greyed-orange (between RHS 165c and             RHS 165D).         -   Average stone dry weight.—9.9 g.         -   Average stone wall thickness.—Varies between 6.0 mm. along             the dorsal ridge to 9.9 mm. at the base.         -   Size.—Averages about 40.2 mm. long, 30.2 mm. wide parallel             to the dorsal ridge, and 40.2 mm. wide perpendicular to the             dorsal ridge.         -   Tendency to split.—Typically low when well cropped.         -   Kernel.—Form: Elliptic to slightly obovate. Skin color:             Greyed-orange (RHS 164B). Vein color: Greyed-orange (RHS             164A). Viability: Yes. Size: Averages about 19.1 mm. long,             11.8 mm. wide, and 3.9 mm. in breadth. -   Plant/fruit disease and pest resistance/susceptibility: No atypical     resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural     practices. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as herein shown and described. 